Vehicle racing card game and method of play

ABSTRACT

A vehicle racing card game according to embodiments of the invention includes a number of track cards that can be arranged by the players to form a race course. A vehicle racing card game also includes a number of vehicle cards to be played by the players. In some embodiments, players advance along the race course by playing their vehicle cards one at a time, and by scoring points depending, for example, on how closely certain graphical elements of a players vehicle card matches corresponding graphical elements of the track card corresponding to their position along the race course.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to racing games, and moreparticularly to card-based vehicle racing games and methods of play.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle racing games that simulate automotive racing are popular formsof entertainment. Many existing racing games incorporate game piecesthat move around a playing board, for example. In most “board” styleracing games, the race course is predetermined by the layout of theboard or playing surface, and cannot be changed by the players.

Trading cards, such as baseball cards, have developed value among somecollectors. A similar phenomenon has occurred with certain game cardsand/or game pieces, such that the game pieces have become collectibleitems, for example.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include a vehicle racing card game and amethod of playing a vehicle racing card game. A vehicle racing card gameaccording to embodiments of the invention includes a number of trackcards that can be arranged by the players to form a race course. Avehicle racing card game also includes a number of vehicle cards to beplayed by the players. In some embodiments, the players advance to a newvehicle position along the race course (e.g., to the next track cardalong the race course) by playing their vehicle cards one at a time, andby scoring points. The number of points scored may depend, for example,on how closely certain graphical elements of a particular vehicle card“match” corresponding graphical elements of a track card. A race is wonwhen a player advances a vehicle from the start to the finish of therace course before the other players are able to do so.

In some embodiments of the invention, a method of playing a vehicleracing card game may include having the players form a stretch of trackcards by laying track cards face up in a pattern to form a race course(e.g., a straight length of track, or an oval loop, as possibleexamples). The method may next involve having the players lay theirrespective vehicle cards one at a time face up next to the track cardthat marks the start of the race course; this may be done simultaneouslyby the players, for example, after stating, “Ready, Set, Go!” or byusing some other starting command or indication. On each turn, theplayers determine whether or not their vehicle can advance to the nexttrack card along the race course by determining how many points theyhave earned that turn. The number of points earned may be based on amatching of graphical elements between their current vehicle card andthe track card corresponding to their vehicle position along the racecourse. A race may be consider “won” when the first player reaches thefinish line (although play may continue to determine the place of finishfor the remaining players, for example).

In some embodiments, the complexity of scoring of points may beincreased by modifying various aspects of the race course with trackmodifier cards (e.g., to modify road, weather, and/or traffic conditionsat certain track cards along the race course). In such embodiments,scoring of points to advance a player's vehicle position may require notonly matching of graphical elements between a player's vehicle card andthe current track card (e.g., the track card corresponding to theplayer's current vehicle position), but may further require that theplayer's vehicle overcome the difficulties presented by the varioustrack modifier cards. In some embodiments, players may also be able toplay modifier cards that modify the vehicle and/or drivercharacteristics, thereby enhancing the player's ability to overcome thedifficulties presented by the track modifier cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary vehicle racing card gameaccording to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of instruction cards that provide an overviewof the rules of playing a vehicle racing card game according to certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of exemplary components of a deck of trackcards according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of exemplary track modifier cards that may beincluded as part of a track deck according to certain embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates one possible example of a track deck according tocertain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of exemplary components of a deck of vehiclecards according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of exemplary modifier cards that may beincluded in a vehicle deck according to certain embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 8 through 17 are illustrations of a number of exemplary vehicledecks according to various embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 18 is an illustration provided for describing how points may bescored and/or vehicle positions advanced along a race course accordingto certain embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to theaccompanying drawing figures in which like numbers describe likeelements.

A vehicle racing card game according to embodiments of the inventionincludes a number of track cards that can be arranged by the players toform a race course. Each track card includes a playing side havinggraphical elements displayed thereon. Graphical elements on a track cardmay include a road path and a pattern of symbols. The track cards areadapted to be arranged by the players to form a race course. A racecourse may be a series of track cards arranged in a start to finishpath, or may form a circuitous path in which the race course is agreedto be a specified number of laps around the circuitous path. A vehicleracing card game also includes a number of vehicle cards to be played bythe players. Each vehicle card includes a playing side having graphicalelements displayed thereon. Graphical elements on a vehicle card mayinclude an image of the vehicle and a pattern of symbols. During play,the pattern of symbols on the vehicle cards is compared to the patternof symbols on the track cards to determine the number of points “earned”on that turn, and whether the players' vehicle is allowed to advance tothe next track card along the race course.

Certain embodiments of the invention include a method of playing acard-based vehicle racing game such as that described above. Forexample, a method of playing a vehicle racing card game according tosome embodiments of the invention may include the following steps:

(a) providing a number of track cards, each track card having a numberof graphical elements on a face side thereof;

(b) arranging the track cards to form a race course, the race coursehaving a starting track card to indicate a starting line and a finishingtrack card to indicate a finish line;

(c) providing a garage of vehicle cards associated with each of two ormore players, the garage comprising a predetermined number of vehiclecards, each vehicle card having a number of graphical elements on a faceside thereof;

(d) beginning a race by having each player reveal a vehicle card fromtheir garage, each player placing the vehicle card near the track cardindicating the starting line;

(e) scoring a first turn by having each player determine a number ofpoints earned, the number of points being based on matching between thegraphical elements on the face side of the players vehicle card and thegraphical elements on the face side of the track card indicating thestarting line;

(f) advancing a vehicle position of one of the players to the next trackcard along the course if the points earned by that player on the firstturn exceed a predetermined criterion;

(g) beginning a next turn by having each player reveal a next vehiclecard from their garage, each player placing the next vehicle card nearthe track card corresponding to their vehicle position;

(h) scoring a next turn by having each player determine a number ofpoints earned, the number of points being based on matching between thegraphical elements on the face side of the players next vehicle card andthe graphical elements on the face side of the track card correspondingto their vehicle position;

(i) advancing the vehicle position of one of the players to the nexttrack card along the course if the points earned by that player on thatturn exceed a predetermined criterion; and

(j) repeating steps (g), (h), and (i) until at least one of the playersreaches the finish line.

Examples of the various types of cards that may be used in variousembodiments of the invention are described next with reference to theaccompanying drawing figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle racing card game according tocertain embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a race course10 may be formed by arranging a number of track cards 20 in a desiredpattern, such as that shown in FIG. 1. Many other race course 10patterns are possible, and may include straight stretches of track suchas that shown in FIG. 1, or may be arranged to form a circuitous pattern(e.g., an oval pattern) as but two possible examples. In the particularexample illustrated, race course 10 comprises four track cards 20,having a starting track card designated as the starting line 22, andhaving a finishing track card designated as the finish line 24 (only aportion of the track card corresponding to the finish line 24 is shownin FIG. 1). In embodiments in which the race course 10 is a circuitouspattern (such as an oval shape, or a figure “8” shape, or some otherclosed loop type pattern), the track card designated as the finish line24 could be the same as the track card designated as the starting line22, or it could be a different track card. Certain embodiments mayrequire that a certain number of laps around such a circuitous patternrace course be completed to finish a race, such that the finish line 24would be crossed a certain number of times during the conduct of therace, for example.

In some embodiments of the invention, the race course may be formed bythe players in a cooperative manner to suit the desires or needs of theplayers. For example, the players may agree that they wish the race tobe very short (e.g., due to time constraints), and may agree to form arace course from a limited number of track cards, such as ten or fewer.Another example of a cooperative manner of forming the race course maybe to have the players take turns laying out the track cards (e.g.,alternating between the various players), so that the resulting racecourse is determined by the combined effort of two or more players.

FIG. 1 also shows vehicle cards 30 as they might be played by twoplayers, for example. As illustrated, vehicle cards 30 may be played bylaying them next to the track card 20 corresponding to a given player'scurrent vehicle position along the race course 10. For example, at thebeginning of a race, both players have a vehicle position at thestarting line 22, as shown in FIG. 1.

During play, a player determines whether they can advance theirrespective vehicle position to the next track card 20 along the racecourse 10 by making a comparison of graphical elements on their currentvehicle card 30 with the graphical elements on the track card 20corresponding to their vehicle position. For example, the track cards 20shown in FIG. 1 each have a number of track card graphical elements 26disposed thereon. The track card graphical elements 26 could take anynumber of forms, such as different shapes and/or colors. In theparticular example illustrated in FIG. 1, the track card graphicalelements happen to form a pattern of colored circles disposed about theouter edge of each track card 20, each track card graphical element 26having a particular color associated with it. In one particularlypreferred embodiment of the invention, the track card graphical elements26 associated with each track card 20 form a pattern of eight circlesdisposed about the edges of each track card 20, and each track cardgraphical element 26 is one of three possible colors: red, green oryellow. Of course, the number, size, shape, and/or color of thegraphical elements may be varied in an almost endless number ofcombinations to allow for the matching of graphical elements betweenvehicle cards and track cards; such minor variations would becomeapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of theseteachings, and are deemed to fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed below.

The vehicle card 30, as shown in FIG. 1, has a number of vehicle cardgraphical elements 36 disposed in a pattern thereon. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle card 30 has vehicle card graphicalelements 36 that correspond to the pattern of track card graphicalelements 26 on the track cards 20. In other words, the particularexample of FIG. 1 includes vehicle cards with eight graphical elements36 arranged in a pattern similar to that on the corresponding track card20. Similarly, the vehicle card graphical elements 36 may each be one ofthree colors, namely red, yellow or green. Again, the particular number,size, shape, and/or color of the graphical elements may be varied by oneof ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of these teachings.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of two players has placed their first vehiclecard 30 near the track card 20 corresponding to the starting line 22. Asshown, each players vehicle card 30 is oriented so that it is facing theplayer that owns that vehicle card (that is, the text on the vehiclecard is readable or facing up to the card's owner). For example, thevehicle card 30 positioned on side A of the race course 10 is readableto a player positioned on side A of the race course 10, whereas thevehicle card 30 located on side B of race course 10 would appearreadable (e.g., right side up) to a player situated on side B and facingthe race course 10. The orientation of the vehicle cards relative to thetrack cards 20 making up the race course 10 may become relevant duringgame play, as the point scoring and advancement of a player's vehicleposition along the race course 10 is determined based on a matchingbetween the vehicle card graphical elements 36 and the track cardgraphical elements 26. For example, a red circle in the bottom leftcorner of the track card (as viewed by a particular player) that matchesa red circle in the bottom left corner on the player's correspondingvehicle card 30 may count as a match, or scored as a certain number ofpositive points, for example; this may be a positive contributing factorin determining whether the player advances to the next track card 20along the race course 10.

In some embodiments, the points scored on a given turn may be thecombined score of all matching or non-matching graphical elementsbetween the track cards 20 and the vehicle cards 30. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, for example, two corresponding matching redcircular graphical elements, or two corresponding matching greencircular graphical elements, may each contribute a positive pointtowards a player's point score total for that turn, whereas unmatchedgraphical elements (e.g., a green circular graphical element on thetrack card corresponding to a red circular graphical element on thevehicle card) may contribute a negative point to the point score totalfor that turn. The presence of a yellow graphical element on either thetrack card or on the vehicle card may yield zero points towards aplayer's total point score for a given turn, regardless of the color ofthe graphical element on the corresponding card, according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

A detailed example of how the points may be scored for each of twoplayers is provided in a later section below with reference to FIG. 18.

FIG. 1 also includes a number of variations to a basic version of thegame. For example, FIG. 1 shows items such as vehicle modifier cards 50,shown next to each player's vehicle card 30 in FIG. 1. Also shown inFIG. 1 are a number of modifier cards that change the conditions of therace. For example, at the left side of FIG. 1, a road modifier card 60,a traffic modifier card 70, and a weather modifier card 80 are allshown. The use of such modifier cards during game-play can affect thedetermination of points scored in a given turn when these modifiers areused. For example, certain track cards may include track modifiers 28,as shown in the second track card 20 of race course 10 in FIG. 1. Inthis particular example, the track modifiers 28 indicate a road modifierand a weather modifier that may be applied when a player attempts tomove past this particular track card. Thus, the road modifier card 60and weather modifier card 70 in use for that game would be applied for aplayer attempting to move past that particular track card during a giventurn. In some embodiments of the invention, a player may be delayed fromadvancing past a track card with such track modifiers 28 if the playersvehicle card and any associated vehicle modifier cards 50 (and/or drivermodifier cards 90) do not possess a sufficient vehicle performancenumber (or numbers) to overcome the modifier action numbers presented onthe track modifier cards that are in effect on that turn. More detailedinformation on the use of modifier cards and point scoring based thereonis provided in a later section below.

FIG. 2 illustrates two instruction cards 40 that may be included as partof either a deck of vehicle cards, or as part of a deck of track cards,for example. The instruction cards 40 may provide a convenient referencefor players to resolve questions that may arise during game-play aboutrules and how to proceed.

FIG. 3 illustrates the suggested components of a track deck 18 inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. For example, trackdeck 18 may include a number of track cards 20, a track title card 21, atrack modifier card 70, a road modifier card 60, and a weather modifiercard 80, as shown in FIG. 3. A track deck 18 may contain a specifiednumber of track cards 20, for example, ten track cards 20 may be used ina typical track deck 18, however, a larger or smaller number of trackcards is certainly contemplated and deemed to be within the scope of theinvention as claimed. Similarly, a typical track deck 18 may contain oneeach of the track modifier card 70, the road modifier card 60, and theweather modifier card 80; again, the exact number of each of these couldvary or could be zero according to various embodiments of a vehicle cardracing game in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 alsoprovides an illustration of the modifier action numbers 100 that may beassociated with each of these different types of track modifier cards.For example, the traffic modifier card 70 shown in FIG. 3 includesmodifier action numbers 100 corresponding to the engine and the chassisof a vehicle. Thus, on a particular turn where a player must overcome atraffic modifier card 70, the player's vehicle card 30 currently in playmust satisfy the criteria specified by the modifier action numbers 100.In certain cases, the vehicle card 30 may have vehicle performancenumbers 38 which roughly correspond to the modifier action numbers 100.For example, the vehicle cards 30 may have vehicle performance numbers38 that correspond to tires, engine, chassis, tuning, and style. In yetfurther embodiments of the invention, the vehicle performance numbers 38may be enhanced and/or hindered by the presence of vehicle modifiercards 50 and/or driver modifier cards 90, either of which may add to orsubtract from the corresponding vehicle performance numbers 38.

FIG. 4 provides an illustration of exemplary track modifier cards thatmay be included in track deck 18, for example. As shown in FIG. 4,weather modifier cards 80 may include modifications that pertain to suchfactors as the sun, snow, rain, and fog; other types of weather modifiercards 80 are possible as well. Similarly, the road modifier card 60 mayinclude modifications to the road that address such factors as roadwork, gravel, the presence of a tunnel, and speed bumps; other possiblemodifications to the road are possible as well. Similarly, the trafficmodifier cards 70 may include modifications to such factors as a hazardzone, traffic lights, the presence of an accident, or a one-way road;other possible traffic modifications are possible as well.

FIG. 5 shows one possible example of a track deck 18 as it might bepackaged according to certain commercial embodiments, for example. FIG.5 illustrates a track deck 18 that includes 14 track cards 20 and atrack title card 21. In certain embodiments, one each of a trafficmodifier 70, a road modifier card 60, and a weather modifier card 80,may also be included in the track deck 18 illustrated in FIG. 5,according to certain preferred embodiments, for example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a number of components of a suggested vehicle deck 32according to certain embodiments of the invention. For example, theexemplary vehicle deck 32 of FIG. 6 includes 10 vehicle cards 30, avehicle title card with pink slip 34, one or more instruction cards 40,a driver modifier card 90, and a vehicle modifier card 50. Of course,the exact number and types of cards included in a particular vehicledeck 32 may vary from this particular exemplary arrangement; such minormodifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

FIG. 6 also provides details on certain aspects of the vehicle cards 30.For example, vehicle card 30 includes vehicle card graphical elements 36and vehicle performance numbers 38 as shown in FIG. 6. As noted above,the vehicle performance numbers 38 relate to various aspects of aparticular type of vehicle, and address such qualities of the vehicle asthe tires, the engine, the chassis, tuning of the vehicle, and style.These vehicle “qualities” may be assigned a numerical value as shown inFIG. 6, such as a value of “25” for the engine, for example. It shouldbe noted that vehicle cards 30 may also include an image of the vehicledisposed on the face of the vehicle card 30; the design and presentationof such vehicle images may add to the novelty and/or collectability ofsuch cards, for example, as trading items in addition to their functionas game playing pieces, or as “prizes” to be won by the winner of agiven race, for example.

FIG. 7 illustrates a number of examples of types of modifier cards thatmay be included in a vehicle deck 32. For example, FIG. 7 shows vehiclemodifier cards 50 that affect various performance aspects of the vehicleas indicated on the respective vehicle modifier cards 50. For example,one type of vehicle modifier card 50 could affect the engineperformance, whereas other vehicle modifier cards could affect suchaspects as the tuning, tires, chassis, and/or style of the players'vehicle. Some vehicle modifier cards 50 may, for example, affect morethan one aspect of the vehicle, as shown by the “Rally Kit” vehiclemodifier card 50 shown in FIG. 7, which affects the chassis, engine, andtires, for example. Similarly, a vehicle deck 32 may include one or moredriver modifier cards 90, such as those illustrated in FIG. 7. Thedriver modifier cards 90 may have an effect on the number of pointsearned during a particular turn, or they may have an effect that extendsfor a number of turns. For example, an exemplary driver modifier card 90labeled “Evasive Move” has the effect labeled on the card “avoids allcrashes,” and the effect lasts for two turns, as also indicated on thatparticular driver modifier card 90. In certain embodiments of theinvention, the driver modifier cards 90 may be limited to a certainextent in their use by a player. For example, in one preferredembodiment of the invention, each player is only allowed to use a drivermodifier card 90 once per race (or, in some embodiments, once per lap ina race course design that requires multiple laps around a circuitousrace course 10, for example).

FIGS. 8-17 provide a number of different exemplary vehicle decksaccording to various embodiments of the invention. A player may, forexample, acquire a number of vehicle decks 32 (for example, bypurchasing them, trading with other players, or by winning them as theprize for winning a race), but would typically only play one selectedvehicle (e.g., one selected “garage” comprising a certain number ofvehicle cards of a given type of vehicle) for a given race. As shown inFIGS. 8-17, the vehicle deck 32 of vehicle cards 30 may also have avehicle title card/pink slip 34, which may be used to describe thevehicle, as well as to handle or control ownership transactions betweenplayers outside the context of a race, for example. Note, players couldagree to exchange a vehicle deck 32 based on the outcome of a particularrace, for example; such transfers could also be indicated on the vehicletitle card/pink slip 34. Also shown in the examples of FIGS. 8-17 arethe vehicle modifier cards 50 and driver modifier cards 90 which may beincluded with a particular vehicle deck 32, according to certainembodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments of the invention, it may be desirable to assignvehicle modifier cards 50 and driver modifier cards 90 at least somewhatrandomly to a selected vehicle for a given race. For example, this mayallow certain advantages or disadvantages to be distributed amongstvarious garages of vehicle cards, tending to level the playing field, oradding an element of randomness or perceived fairness, according tocertain embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 18, an example is hereby provided of one method ofscoring points for two players in a given turn according to a preferredembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 18, player A (the player situatedon side A of race course 10 and facing the vehicle card 30 near thebottom of FIG. 18) determines a number of points as follows: Starting atthe bottom left corner, the red graphical element 36 on the vehicle card30 matches the red graphical element 26 at the bottom left corner of thecurrent track card 20, contributing to a +1 point score in this example.Moving clockwise around the vehicle card 30, the next graphical element36 at the center left portion of vehicle card 30 is green, whereas thecorresponding graphical element 26 at the center left portion of thetrack card 20 is red, contributing to a −1 point score for player A.Continuing in a clockwise manner, the green graphical element 36 at thetop left of the vehicle card 30 matches the corresponding graphicalelement 26 at the top left of the track card 20, contributing a +1 tothe point score. The next graphical element on the track card 20 isyellow, which contributes ZERO to the player's point score regardless ofthe color of the corresponding graphical element on the vehicle card 30.(Conversely, it should be noted that a yellow graphical element on thevehicle card 30 would also have a ZERO effect on the point scoreregardless of the color of the corresponding graphical element on thetrack card 20.) Continuing all the way around until all eight graphicalelements have been scored results in a point total for player A of +1point (e.g., the numerical sum of +1, −1, +1, 0, −1, −1, +1, +1).

In certain embodiments of the invention, all that is required to advanceto the next vehicle position along the race course 10 is to achieve apositive point score total for that turn. Thus, player A would advanceto the next vehicle position corresponding to the next track card 20along race course 10 based on the score of +1 for that turn. In someembodiments, it may be desirable to specify a certain point total thatmust be achieved in a given turn in order to advance to the next vehicleposition. In some embodiments, the point total for a given turn has nosignificance beyond that particular turn. In other possible embodiments,it may be desirable to accumulate point totals, for example, to add orincorporate additional features or aspects of the game.

Performing a similar point scoring analysis for player B in FIG. 18results in a point score total for that turn of −1. Thus, player B wouldnot be able to advance to a next vehicle position in versions of thegame which require having a positive point score total each turn. Itshould be noted that players may agree ahead of time that a particularpoint score (e.g., not simply a positive score) must be achieved inorder to move to the next vehicle position. For example, players mayagree or specify that at least three points must be obtained in a giventurn before allowing a player to move to the next vehicle position. Theexact criteria chosen may be varied without departing from the scope ofthe invention as claimed.

Certain variations on scoring may also be implemented according to someembodiments of the invention. Such variations may, for example, comprisebonus or penalty features based on the matching of graphical elementsduring scoring. For example, a player may earn a “Boost” if he/shematches more than a specified number of graphical elements in a giventurn, allowing the player to advance their vehicle position by more thanone track card, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Insome embodiments, all graphical elements on the vehicle card must matchthe corresponding graphical elements on the track card in order toachieve a Boost. In a slight variation of this embodiment, a Boost maybe earned if a player earns more than a certain number of points on agiven turn (e.g., more than 5 points) based on the matching of graphicalelements as described above. A “Crash” feature may also be implementedin certain embodiments of the invention, whereby players are penalized(e.g., by losing a turn or by moving back one or more vehicle positionsalong the race course). In one preferred embodiment of the invention, aCrash occurs when a certain number of graphical elements do not match(e.g., 5 or more), or when a certain minimum point score is not achieved(e.g., a player scores below a negative 5 points).

In some further embodiments, a Boost may allow a player's vehicleposition to skip past some track cards along the race course, with theexception that track cards where Crashes have occurred and/or trackcards with track modifier symbols may not be skipped despite having aBoost. Similarly, Crashes may be deemed to affect all players when theyreach the affected track card (e.g., the crash site), and may result ina loss of one turn when they reach the crash, according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

In different versions of the game (e.g., corresponding to varying playerability levels), modifier cards (e.g., track modifier cards, vehiclemodifier cards, and/or driver modifier cards) may be employed to affectthe point scoring and/or the ability of a player's vehicle to advancebeyond certain track cards 20 along the race course 10. For example, inembodiments where track modifiers 28 are used, the modifier actionnumbers 100 associated with each track modifier 28 present criteriawhich must be overcome by the corresponding vehicle performance numbers38 that are presented on the current vehicle card 30. In someembodiments, the vehicle performance numbers 38 on a vehicle card 30 maybe enhanced or hindered by the use of vehicle modifier cards 50 and/ordriver modifier cards 90, further affecting a player's ability toovercome the modifier action numbers 100 associated with the trackmodifiers 28. In certain embodiments of the invention, the existence oftrack modifiers 28 may pose a hindrance to the player advancing beyondthat track card only for one turn (or perhaps for some otherpre-determined number of turns), according to certain embodiments of theinvention.

Certain other aspects of the game may facilitate fairness of theoutcome, or at least different results. For example, it may be desiredto have both players shuffle their respective vehicle decks prior tostarting a race, and having them play their vehicle cards (e.g., revealthem) sequentially (e.g., one at a time) from a stack of vehicle cards30 (e.g., their garage) that are placed face down initially. In someembodiments, when a player reaches the last vehicle card in their garage(e.g., all vehicle cards have been played), it may be desirable to havethat player (or all players, if they all run out of cards together)reshuffle and again stack their garage of vehicle cards 20 for continuedplay.

The number of players that can play is theoretically unlimited. Forexample, if more than two players are playing, at least two of theplayers would have to place their vehicle cards on the same side of therace course, so that there would effectively be “lanes” extendingoutwardly from the race course 10 in which a given player would placehis/her vehicle cards 30.

As used herein, the term “garage” refers to a number of vehicle cards ofa given vehicle type. A player selects a type of vehicle to be raced ina particular game, and the vehicle cards of the vehicle type form theplayer's garage. In certain embodiments of the invention, it may bedesirable to agree that a garage includes a specified number of vehiclecards, for example, ten vehicle cards. The number of vehicle cards in agarage may be agreed upon, or may be determined by other factors, suchas commercial packaging of vehicle decks, for example. In someembodiments, vehicle decks may be obtained or purchased having aspecified number (e.g, ten) of vehicle cards (in addition to anyinstruction cards, vehicle modifier cards, driver modifier cards, etc.),and it may be this number of vehicle cards that determines the number ofvehicle cards in a garage used during game play.

1. A method of playing a vehicle racing card game, the methodcomprising: (a) providing a number of track cards, each track cardhaving a number of graphical elements on a face side thereof; (b)arranging the track cards face side up to form a race course, the racecourse having a starting track card to indicate a starting line and afinishing track card to indicate a finish line; (c) providing a garageof vehicle cards associated with each of two or more players, the garagecomprising a predetermined number of vehicle cards, each vehicle cardhaving a number of graphical elements on a face side thereof; (d)beginning a race by each player revealing a vehicle card from theirgarage, each player placing the vehicle card face side up near thestarting track card indicating the starting line; (e) scoring a firstturn of the race by each player determining a number of points earned onthe first turn, the number of points being based on matching between thegraphical elements on the face side of the player's vehicle card and thegraphical elements on the face side of the starting track card; (f)advancing a player's vehicle position to the next track card along therace course if the points earned by that player on the first turn exceeda predetermined criterion; (g) beginning a new turn by each playerrevealing a next vehicle card from their garage, each player placing thenext vehicle card near the track card corresponding to the player'svehicle position; (h) scoring the new turn by each player determining anumber of points earned, the number of points earned being based onmatching between the graphical elements on the face side of the player'snext vehicle card and the graphical elements on the face side of thetrack card corresponding to the player's vehicle position; (i) advancingthe vehicle position of one of the players to the next track card alongthe course if the points earned by that player on that turn exceed apredetermined criterion; and (j) repeating steps (g), (h), and (i) untilthe vehicle position of at least one of the players reaches the finishline.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the garage of vehicle cards foreach of the two or more players is shuffled before beginning the race.3. The method of claim 1 wherein two or more of the players arrange thetrack cards to form the race course in a cooperative manner.
 4. Themethod of claim 3 wherein the players take turns laying out track cardsto form the race course and agree to the length of the race course. 5.The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the track cards formingthe race course further includes one or more track modifier symbols, andwherein the one or more track modifier symbols imposes an additionalcriterion that must be met before a given player's vehicle position isallowed to advance past the track card with the track modifier symbols.6. The method of claim 5 wherein the criterion imposed by each of theone or more track modifier symbols is specified by one or more trackmodifier cards.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the track modifier cardis a road modifier card, and the criterion imposed by the road modifiercard can be met by certain elements of the given player's vehicle card.8. The method of claim 6 wherein the track modifier card is a weathermodifier card, and the criterion imposed by the weather modifier cardcan be met by certain elements of the given player's vehicle card. 9.The method of claim 6 wherein the track modifier card is a trafficmodifier card, and the criterion imposed by the traffic modifier cardcan be met by certain elements of the given player's vehicle card. 10.The method of claim 5 wherein the additional criterion imposed by theone or more track modifier symbols can be met by a vehicle performancenumber on the given player's vehicle card.
 11. The method of claim 10wherein the vehicle performance number on the given player's vehiclecard is further modified by a driver modifier card.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 wherein each of the player's is allowed to play a drivermodifier card a limited number of times during a given race.
 13. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the vehicle performance number on the givenplayer's vehicle card is further modified by a vehicle modifier card.14. The method of claim 5 wherein the additional criterion imposed bythe track modifier symbols affects the ability of the given player toadvance their vehicle position for only a certain number of turns. 15.The method of claim 1 wherein a given player that matches more than apredetermined number of graphical elements between the vehicle card andthe track card on a given turn advances their vehicle position by morethan one track card on that turn.
 16. The method of claim 1 wherein agiven player scoring less than a predetermined number of points in agiven turn causes a loss of one turn for all players at the same vehicleposition as the given player.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein matchingbetween the graphical elements on the vehicle cards and the graphicalelements on the track cards is based on the color of the graphicalelements.
 18. The method of claim 1 wherein matching between thegraphical elements on the vehicle cards and the graphical elements onthe track cards is based on the shape of the graphical elements.
 19. Avehicle racing game comprising: a number of track cards, the number oftrack cards adapted to be arranged in a pattern to form a race course,each of the track cards having one or more graphical elements disposedon a face side thereof; and two or more garages of vehicle cards, eachgarage associated with one of at least two players, each garagecomprising a number of vehicle cards, each vehicle card having one ormore graphical elements disposed on a face side thereof, wherein thevehicle cards are adapted to be played by each of the at least twoplayers by placing a next vehicle card near the track card correspondingto the players vehicle position along the race course, and determiningwhether the players vehicle position advances along the race course bycomparing graphical elements of the vehicle card to graphical elementsof the track card corresponding to the player's vehicle position. 20.The game of claim 19 wherein the graphical elements on the track cardsand the vehicle cards form a pattern of shapes around the track cardsand vehicle cards.
 21. The game of claim 20 wherein each of the shapesin the pattern is a circle having a color selected from red, yellow, andgreen.
 22. The game of claim 20 wherein the pattern of shapes includeseight shapes disposed in a generally rectangular pattern on the vehiclecards and track cards.